Connecter



J.l W. PAGE CONNECTER DMn 15, 1931.

Filed Dec. 27, 1930 2 Sheecs-Sheecl 2 ifi) Patented Dec. 15, 1931 Y UNITED STATES JOHN W. PAG-E, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS CONNECTER l .Application filed December 27, 1930. Serial No. 505,185.

Thisvinvention rela-tes to improvements in connecters and, more especially, a connecter, mounting or support for a sheave especially adapted for use in connection with excavating buckets, and the like. Although 'I have shown the 'device in use in connection with a particular kind of bucket, it is to be understood that it is capable of a great number of uses and applications not only in connection with excavating devices, but also in connection with any apparatus where it is desired to support a sheave by a connection permitting universal movement.

Among the features of my invention is the provision of means in connection with the connecter. for holding a sheave support to permit universal movement thereof. In connection with excavating apparatus of the kind hereinafter more particularly described, frequently referred to as Page buckets, it is necessary to provide a sheave adjacent the point of attachment between the lifting line and the bail carrying the bucket. A holding line leading from a hauling line passes over this sheave and controls the dumping of the bucket in a well-known manner. In the operation of such a bucket, this sheave has a tendency to move in all directions. The pro- Avision of the universal connection, hereinafter more particularly described, permits the sheave to lie in the plane of the line passing` over it at all times in all ordinary positions of the bucket. This eliminates' wear on the housing and the flange of the sheave V by the line passing th-ereover. My improved connection also permits the-securing of the sheave in a position close to the point of connection between the bail ends and the lifting line.

Other features and advantages of my invention will appear more fully as I proceed with my specification.

In those forms of devices embodying the features of my invention shown in the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the connecter; Fig. 2 is a view taken as indicated by the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of a part of the device; Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation showing the connecter in use on an excavator bucket; and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified form.

As shown in the drawings, and especially referring to Fig. 4, may indica-te an excavator bucket of the type referred to, pivotally supported at 11 on the lower ends 0f two lines 12, 12 forming a` bail. Numeral 13 indicates a lifting line and 14, a hauling it, andthe holding line-16 controls the dulnping of the bucket on the pivotal connections 11. vMy improvel connecter is here shown as especially adapted for use inconnection with the form of bucket just described. It

isv primarily adapted to form means for attaching the lower end of the lifting line to the upper ends of the bail members 12 and supportthe sheave 17 to permit universal movement thereof. This is highly desirable, since in the use of the bucket, the holding line 16 frequently becomes slack and has a tendency to fall to one side or the other. By the universal mounting of the sheave 17, it will always remain in the plane of this holding line and thus prevent wear and damage to the parts.

I shall now" describe more in detail the connecter and refer particuarly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3. .In the form of connecter shown in these figur-es, it will be seen that the saine includes a U-shaped member, shown in Fig. 3. This -U-sliaped member comprises primarily a substantially spherical-shaped part 18 having side projections 19, 19, the outer ends of said side projections being turned upwardly, as indicated by 20, 20, and provided with eyes 21, 21 at their upper ends.

The eyes 21, 21 are adapted to receive a pin 22 to which the lower end of the lifting line or cable 13 may be attached by any suitable means, such as the cable connecter 23. The upper ends of the bail members, supporting lines or cables 12 are adapted to be attached to the extensions 19, 19in any suitable manner, as, for example, by means of the loops or eyes 24 on the cable connecters 25, 25.

I also provide a sheave support mounted on the spherical-shaped part 18 for universal movement thereon. As here shown, this sheave support includes two plates 26, 26 fastened together by suitable rivets or bolts 27, 27 carrying an axle 28 for the sheave 17. The upper ends of the plates 26, 26 are provided with extensions 29, 29 having opposed co-operating concave sockets or depressions 30 30 adapted to embrace the spherical part 18 and be universally movable thereupon. In short, the upper end of the sheave support is provided with a spherical-shaped socket in which the member 18 lies to form virtually a ball and socket joint, thus permitting universal movement of the sheave support.

In Fig. 5, I have shown a modified form of device. As here shown, the spherical l part 118 resembling the spherical part 18 is provided with side extensions 119, but these side extensions, instead of being bent upwardly at their ends, are provided with eyes 120 to which may be attached, in any suitable manner, the upper ends of the bail members or supportinglines 12, 12. The lifting line 13 is adapted for attachment to the device in the following manner. Mounted on the eX- tensions 119 are two plates 120:1, 120a provided at their upper ends with eyes 121, 121, in which is mounted the pin 122 to which the lower end ofthe lifting line 13 is attached, in any suitable manner. It is to be understood that the sheave support in the device shown in Fig. 5 is mounted on the spherical part 118 in the same manner as it is mounted on the spherical part 18, shown in the other form. y

lhile I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims, in which it is my intention to claimall novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A device of the character described, including; a substantially spherical-shaped part having side projections; means for at.- taching a lifting line to the side extensions; means for attaching a downwardly extending supporting line to each extension; and a sheave support mounted 0n the sphericalshaped part for universal movement thereon.

2. A device of the character described, in-

cluding; a substantially spherical-shaped part having side projections; means for attachinO a lifting line to the side extensions; means Ior attaching a downwardly extending supporting line to each extension; a sheave support provided with a substantially spheri- Cal socket, the aforementioned substantially spherical-shaped part lying in said socket, the sheave support having universal movement thereon; and a sheave carried by the sheave support.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the sheave support includes two plates provided with opposed and co-operating recesses adapted to embrace the spherical-shaped part.

1. A device of the character described, including; a U-shaped member provided with a centrally arranged substantially spherical enlargement in its lower part; means for attaching a lifting line to said U-shaped member; means for attaching two downwardly extending supporting lines to said member; a sheave support having a substantially spherical socket mounted on said spherical enlargenient for universal movement thereon; and a sheave carried by said sheave support.

5. A device as claimed in claim A, in which the sheave support includes two plates provided with opposed co-operating recesses forming the socket referred to.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 22nd day of December, 1930.

JOHN W. PAGE. 

